Universal joint



Aug- 29, 1939. H. J. DE coUDRl-:s 2,171,059

UNIVERSAL JOINT Filed March 9, `1958 Patented A'ug. 29, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT' o1=1=1c|:.

` UNWOM i Harry J. De Coudres, Chicago,v Ill. Application March 9, 193s, serial No. 194,907

s claims.

This invention relates to universal joints and more particularly to those employed in automotive vehicles and machine tools.

The primary object of the invention is the pro- -5 vision of a strong universal joint where the pos- 1 itive engagement of the respective parts, is a contributing factor to the efficient transmission of power.l and motion, whereby lost motion and slippage are totally eliminated.

Another object of the invention is the provision, of a'simple, practical, durable, and eicient structure, also economical to manufacture.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a universal joint which can be adjusted` for wear.

Other objects `and advantages oi the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Fig'. l is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a form of my invention.

Fig. 2 is an end view showing the toothed structure of member 8.

, Fig. 3 is another end view showing the toothed structure 'on the opposite side of member 8 show-A ingteeth cut a-t right angles to those on the end illustrated in Figure 5.

Fig. 4 represents an enlargedview showing the toothed structure employed to tak'e up wear.

While the invention is susceptible of various modications and alternative constructions, I have shownv in the drawing and will herein describe preferred forms, but it is to be understood that I do not thereby intend to limit the invention to thespecic forms disclosed, butv intend to cover all modifications and alternative structures fallingwithin the spirit and scope of my'vinvention as expressed` in the appended claims.

By reference to the drawing, where like numerals represent like parts: In Fig. 1 I show a modied form of my invention, where are shown two ball members 22 exactly similar in construction, made preferably of metal, and having a toothed structure extending substantially over an area approximately 50% of their individual spherical area andl having extensions 23 which are attached to driving-and driven membersl of a transmission. The` ball members 22 are assembledwith the teeth portions at right angles tov one another, and mesh with part 8 which is a circular metal piece with teeth 25' out on `one face, and teeth 25 cut on the opposite. face in planes at right angles to one-another. In Figures 2 and Figure 4. The three members, namely member 8 and the two ball members 23 are held together in a housing. 28 made up of two halves 29 and 30 each exactly alike and held together by screws 3| and nuts 32 thru iianges 33.

Both the member 29 and 30 each have a socket portion spherical in shape and a cylindrical bore 35 to receive the outer diameter of member 8 same being driven in half-way into each of members 29 and 30. These coupling members 29 'and 30 are also provided with open-- ings 36 to provide clearance for the extensions 23l when the joint is in motion.

In between the members 29 and 30 there is a shim of say .020 approximately, more or less, which is replaceable with a thinner shim when the joint parts wear to allow -the slack to be taken up. It can be thus very readily noted that my construction offers a simple, practical vne fitting universal vjoint eliminating the lost motion and incidental strain to which a joint of this type is usually subjected', and hence provides a smooth moving joint delivering the maximum of efficiency in power or motion transmission.

In looking at Figure l the numerals 23' show the motion of one voi the ball members in a horizontal direction, whereas, the other ball member moves in a vertical direction, providing similar action andV resultant motion as is obtainable from the commonly known universal joint comprising two hingediorked members attached swivellably to a central Across member. I

In operation the use of my invention, in connectionwith power or motion transmission devices, provides smooth performance and it is far lsuperior to any of the present universal joints on the market. In' addition it provides otheradvantages, such as longer life by eliminating strain on the joint, and adjustment features for wear4 which make for practical economy as a result of its application and use. I wish to par-v ticularly point out, that the teeth lused in my universal joint provide a positive grip-ping and connection for the component parts, and hence the strain is proportionally distributed to the many teeth in mesh, which in turn reduces and minimizes the strain at any one point, whereas in the present joints the strain is confined to only four points, one at a time, so vthat the strain is borne by the one point.

Having 'thus described my invention, what IV claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a universal joint, the combination of two toothediball members, an intermediate member, having arcuate teeth cut at right angles on opposed faces, and adapted to co-act with said toothed ball members, a housing made of two halves, and a shim member assembled between the two halves of said housing member.

2. In a universal joint, the combination of t-Wo toothed ball members provided with crosssectionally gear shaped teeth covering substantially half of the peripheral surface of each ball member, an intermediate member having two oppositely disposed toothed concavities the teeth 'in one concavity outI at right angles to the teeth.

in the opposite concavity and adapted to mesh` with the teeth of said ball members, a housing made of at least two portions, and a shim member assembled between the portions of said housing member in order to permit taking up any wear caused by extensive use.

3. A universal joint, comprising in combination two toothed ball members, an intermediate member having teeth cut at right angles on opposed faces, and adapted to mesh with said toothed ball members, and a. housing, made of two sections, adapted to hold in operative assembly said ball members and the said intermediate member.

HARRY J. -DE COUDRES. 

